Get ready for winter!

How are you coping with the shorter days and colder weather? If this time of the year sends you into hibernation, then go and visit your local reflexology practice for a pre-winter treat.

Getting rid of toxins, restoring balance and boosting your immune system will give you a head start to fight off any daring colds or other seasonal infections.

Don't let the damp dull days get you down and look after yourself!

And cheer up, it's only one month to Christmas! I love watching the Christmas lights in towncentres and the excitement of children in the run-up to Christmas.

Updated book extract

I've updated the extract from the Step by Step book on the Reflexology site so you can now see some of the pictures.

This page deals with the respiratory system. The pictures gives a visual aid to locate reflex points on the sole of the feet and in which order to press them.

This system is one that is currently often worked on as the change of season brings its fair share of colds, sore throat and bronchitis. As mentioned in the book, in reflexology, you never work just on one system to treat an ailment. Reflexology is an holistic therapy so it recognises that many systems are "involved" in an illness.

The ebook is also available for download on the UK reflexology web site .

If you're serious about learning foot reflexology, this ebook is for you as it has been put together using notes from a reflexology training course. The book will enable you to gain specific knowledge about the techniques and uses of reflexology.

It can also be a great Christmas present for a loved one!

Blog Top List

I've found this site which lists blogs and gives them a rank:





You can vote for a blog you like:





So if you also have a blog, give it a try!

Fitness: losing sight - losing balance

Last night was my second session at the health and fitness class. Our teacher had prepared the room with many obstacles (balls, bottles, steps...). After a warm up session we took part in games designed to work on balance and auditive memory! We were attached in pairs, left foot to right foot, and had to coordinate our steps to progress and go over the obstacles. We had a good laugh as we were going in different directions but still attached to each other. In the end we were counting "1, 2, 3, step over the ball" or marching like the army to avoid tripping over! Then one of us was blindfolded and had to be guided by the other over a circuit of balls, bottles, cones...

It's amazing how you lose your balance once you lose vision, you get disorientated, and it's sometimes difficult to rely (=trust) the other's guidance.

Which brings me to the subject of reflexology: I have never practiced on a blind or visually impaired person and I wonder if the feelings/senses are more intense. For example, when applying pressure on a reflex point near the head or neck, some people "feel" something in their head or neck, like a tingling, or a sensation of become lighter.

I know there are some blind reflexologists that are brilliant and I've just found a film on the subject made in Singapore http://cahaya.terapad.com/ . Written and directed by Johan John, ‘Cahaya’ revolves around Salleh, a blind reflexologist who lives in his own dark world but believes in the light of life and Maria, an escort who lives in a world full of colour but sees only darkness. This heartfelt drama is very nicely done.



But I just wonder if as a patient, visually impaired people react in a different way. Please share your experience with us!

Fitness and health

I've got to share this new "keep fit" program with you.
Every year, I enroll in a local fitness class to have at least 1 hour a week for myself. I live in the countryside in France so the choice is fairly limited, and I don't want to travel for 30 minutes to get to a class.

So a few years ago, we had a yoga teacher. That was great, it worked wonders on my breathing and agility. I was pregnant at the time and I think it was very beneficial for the pregnancy and birth.

Then the yoga teacher retired. The following year, the only local class was run by a young "keep fit" adept. The pace and style were very different; it was all about press-ups and other strenuous exercises to the rhythm of hip-hop music. It certainly toned my stomach muscles but it was not soft enough for me. In France we use the term "gym douce" but I don't think this new teacher know the meaning of soft... or maybe I 'm getting older and can't take it!

Anyway, this year we have an alternative class, and when I say alternative, it really is a different approach. I've only been to one session but it's a welcome shock to the system!
The teacher is used to working with disabled people and workers at risk to help them improve their safety and become aware of their movements. His class is called "fitness and health", he is really passionate about his work but spends too much time talking about the theory. So in an hour, I did not feel like we exercised very much, just played a few games to improve our memory and dexterity. For example, in pairs, we had to run whilst throwing the ball to the partner , then clapping, then catching the ball with one hand and so on... Not as easy at it seems.

I like this approach where every automatic behaviour is broken down to make you conscious of your movement and breathing, getting rid of bad habits to relearn. It's a bit like the Alexander technique, it's educational.

I'm not sure the other ladies are ready for his new approach as it is so different from what we had last year. Anyway, I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on.

Colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy

I've recently discovered a new alternative therapy to clean your body of toxins and help you restore good health. Well, it is not new as such since it has been used for hundreds and even thousands of years. Like so many alternative medecine, we are not inventing anything, just updating and improving the techniques and giving a new name. You might hear about colonic irrigation, colon hydrotherapy or colonic lavage: it's the same thing.

I heard about it because a friend of mine, a naturopath/reflexologist, has trained for months and invested 15000 € in a brand new machine that can clean up your colon and give you a brand new lease of life. I have not yet tested the technique but I'd like to hear from you if you have any experience to share.

Anyway, I've created a website for my friend: L'hydrothérapie du côlon ou irrigation du côlon (sorry it's in French!). He practices near Bordeaux in France so if you're enjoying a holiday in the area, book yourself a session after eating all that rich and gorgeous French food!

Spring is here ... and Hay Fever is around the corner!

That's it, the cold weather is behind us as winter is officially over. It's now time for the longer days, warmer weather and changes in nature. Where I live, you can feel that spring is amongst us; with the birds singing in the trees, the plants sprouting up, the flowers timidly blooming. It's time to rejoice, however for more and more people it's time to think about their dreaded allergy: hay fever!

Hay fever is a common condition which affects a growing number of children and adults. It usually occurs in spring and summer when there is more pollen in the air. You can experience hay fever at different periods of the year depending on the type of pollen causing the allergy.

The symptoms are sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes. What happens is the immune system overreacts when the body comes in contact with pollen, and a chemical called histamine is released by cells in the nose, mouth and eyes. This is what triggers the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Unfortunately, hay fever cannot be cured but there are ways of reducing the symptoms. Anti-histamine tablets are commonly taken but if you want to opt for a drug-free therapy, you should try foot reflexology

In reflexology therapy, there are preventive treatments that can be done every year prior to the hay fever period, followed by reflexology sessions during the worst season.

Reflexology can help to minimize the symptoms by focusing on the main reflex points connected with the sinuses, head, eyes and adrenal glands.

You might find improvements from the first session, generally you will have to follow a course of 4 or 5 sessions for better results. The important thing is to renew this treatment every year before the hay fever period.

If you suffer from hay fever, I really advise you to try reflexology and you will be able to enjoy the outdoors again!

If you have tried reflexology for hay fever, please give your experience by posting a comment after this post.

Happy Valentine's Day

For all lovers out there, I hope you're having a great day. Don't forget to express your love on EVERY day of the year, not just once a year!
That's why I don't really subscribe to this Valentine's Day business. If you truly feel for somebody, you're going to tell them more than once a year, unless you are really shy or you have not yet declared your flame...

Whatever you choose to do, make sure it involves a nice relaxing reflexology massage. That's a great treat. Last year, I remember reading about a lady who designed sexy reflexology socks. I thought it was a great idea to make it fun for couples. The socks show which zones stimulate sex drive and where are the erogenous spots. Don't know if they work but it must be fun to try!

If you actually want to learn about the health benefits of foot reflexology, it's better to get a book and practice following the instructions. It's not always easy to find the correct reflex spot or to trigger the right reaction, but practice makes perfect! And, as long as you don't inflict pain, the person receiving the treatment will be grateful for the relaxation and for being pampered.

A foot massage or foot reflexology treatment also provides an opportunity to bond between partners or between parent and child. My children love this special time, even if it lasts 5 minutes. They love being touched in this way and feel special. Sometimes they want to reciprocate and try to do my feet which can be very tickly!

Find out more from this ebook on my Reflexology site.